804 area code — Richmond, VA geographic
The 804 area code covers Richmond, Virginia, Eastern time zone, and dates back to June 24, 1973. The same territory is also served by its overlay code (686/804 complex). Keep in mind the code identifies where the number was registered; the person calling may be elsewhere.
The code currently holds 781 working prefixes, held by 43 different carriers. Of these, 607 are pooled prefixes shared by multiple carriers. Numbers are anchored to 55 rate centers — billing localities that fix where each prefix belongs.
The current NANPA exhaust forecast for the 686/804 complex is 4Q 2055.
Local calls inside 804 are dialed 10D; 1+10 digit dialing permissible at service provider discretion. .
To check where a specific 804 number was issued, look up its six-digit prefix; to check who is actually calling, ignore the display and verify through an official callback number — caller ID is assertable and routinely spoofed.
As demand grew it in turn gave rise to 757 (1996), 434 (2001), 686 (2024).
Largest localities in 804
| Locality (rate center) | Active prefixes | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 366 | 686 |
| Petersburg | 49 | — |
| Chester | 34 | 686 |
| Ashland | 21 | 686 |
| Midlothian | 19 | — |
| Mechanicsville | 18 | — |
| Gloucester | 15 | — |
| Sandston | 13 | — |
| Hopewell | 12 | — |
| Tappahannock | 11 | 686 |
FAQ
Why am I getting spam calls from 804 numbers?
Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 804 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.
Where is a 804 number from?
804 is assigned to Richmond and surrounding areas of Virginia in the Eastern time zone. The three digits after the area code (the prefix) narrow it down to a rate center.
Is 804 a toll-free number?
No. 804 is a geographic code; calls are billed like any other domestic call. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Why do 686 and 804 cover the same place?
They are overlays: when a code runs low on numbers, a new code is added over the same territory instead of splitting it. The 686/804 complex shares one service area, and local calls are dialed with 10 digits.